Friday, February 28, 2014

Yesterday, in this post, I showed you how you can make art out of a photo in Photoshop Elements by clicking on Filters, then Artistic. After doing this post I thought about something I'd done in the past using this technique...and well, I thought you might be interested.A few years ago, Cigar Man and I went on a Mediterranean cruise. Of course, we took lots of photos. After we got home, I started thinking of ways I could display our photos other than just in a photo album. So, one idea I had was to edit my photos in Photoshop Elements using the technique I told you about here. Then display them as art on my walls which I'll get to at the end of this post. Just hang with me for a bit.The photo below is a an unedited photo I took in Rome. We were coming out of a restaurant and there behind me in an alley was this beautiful old wall rich with patina and these delightful flowers hanging from the window sills.Really, I was breathless! I thought you only see this kind of thing in books. They don't really exist. But they do.

Below the same photo is edited using

Filters, Artistic, Paint Dabs

in Photoshop Elements.

I probably don't have to tell you the unedited photo below is taken in

Heart of Country Antique Show was going on in the hotel last weekend and so we took advantage of that too and I have a few photos of the show later.

The Opryland Hotel is a wonderful place

to meander around.

The gardens are well maintained

and out of this world!

Each area has its own personality.

We pretended to be in New Orleans here. {hehe}

A river even runs through it!

As I mentioned, the annual Heart of Country Antique Show was showing in the hotel and there were so many unusual antiques and interesting booths. Here's just a couple.

Colleen Frese Antiques in Iowa

Oh, I loved this dormer and could have easily brought it home with me, but remember, Cigar Man was with me. (you know what I mean?)The owner of this booth, Simple Iowa, was so friendly. She told us a little history. It came from an old barn in Iowa. It's in pretty good condition for being exposed to all kinds of weather for years. If she doesn't sell it, she's going to use it herself. We got into a discussion on styles and such. She told us people want to decorate their homes in a certain period or style like French Country or Early American, but in reality the original homes of these styles were very eclectic. They might have items of varying periods. They weren't able to pitch what they didn't want and start over. They had to use what they had. I thought this was probably very true and an interesting fact.

If you're ever in the Nashville area, I would recommend dropping by the Opryland Hotel.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

We're celebrating a birthday and Valentine's Day at our house this weekend. Since I'd already placed a centerpiece vignette with ironstone and an old pitcher on the dining table, I just added a little more for our family celebration.

I saw these pink buds at Hobby Lobby and they screamed to go home with me. Pink buds and Pussy Willow branches pair up nicely in this old pitcher and then, I remembered I had this heart shaped grapevine wreath to add.

I'm combining two different patterns on straw chargers. I bought them both from an acquaintance who needed the money years ago. I don't know much about them except that I love them both.

Mismatched settings are my favorite. It's just more creative and fun that way. I know ya'll probably agree cause you are the most creative people I know!

At each place setting, I tied a personal tag, each is a little different. The guys are not so fancy and frilly. I used store bought tags that I purchased at Hobby Lobby. I stained the tags with Valspar Mocha Glaze. (you heard that right. I use that stuff for everything.) Then, I stamped a message and added little trinkets to personalize. The pink ruffle on the edge is made from colored raffia. I gathered it on the sewing machine and glued it to the tag.

From the buffet, my faux lady Santos is looking on holding a heart for Valentine's Day I'd like to believe. I hope she likes what she sees.

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Hi, I'm Marsha. My home is Franklin, Tennessee, a charming, historic little town in the South. I love to create and repurpose old things. Whether it's decorating my home, crafts, sewing, baking, gardening or DIY projects; creating comfort and beauty around me is my pleasure. The challenge is doing all that on a budget. "From the Old InkWell" is a collection of these labors of love.